Thoughts, comments and observations about the Chicago White Sox from the Communications Department.

Results tagged ‘ Bo Jackson ’

Jordan Danks smashed two homers, a solo blast in the seventh inning and a two-run shot in the ninth. He now has four this spring…Conor Gillaspie (No. 3) and Tyler Flowers (No. 2) also hit solo homers for the Sox…Maikel Cleto pitched two perfect innings, the fifth and sixth, with a pair of strikeouts. He has now pitched six innings of scoreless ball in four spring appearances since coming over from the Royals.

Sox Notes of Note

In Cactus League play entering today’s game, Jordan Danks was tied for second in the American League in runs scored (10) and added two more today with his home runs. Brother John ranked fifth among AL pitchers with a 2.08 ERA and Felipe Paulino was tied for seventh in the AL with 15 strikeouts…Nate Jones has made five straight scoreless appearances (5.0 IP)…Matt Lindstrom, out with a strained left oblique, is scheduled to make his CL debut later this week.

Monday Night Dinner Review: Old Pueblo Grille

Hit Old Pueblo Grille near the Wigwam last night after 12 holes of golf with Mark Salas. Sadly, my old standby has lost a step in both food quality and service, although I definitely still recommend the bar and you can’t beat the chips and salsa. We sat for 10-15 minutes without ordering as our server stopped at every other table and briskly walked past us as we literally started to talk to her. Salas and I just figured it was because neither of us was wearing green. Still can’t beat a cold Kilt Lifter, though.

Quote of the Day

Bo Jackson, in camp as a special instructor, is quite impressed by Avi Garcia, who is batting .323 with a double, triple, home run, five RBI and five runs scored over his last eight games this spring.

@CST_soxvan: Bo said Garcia looks like a football DE. “He’s just a baby and talent just oozes from his pores. He looks like he’ll be a tremendous asset.”

You can’t make this up. Every year a family of Sox fans from Nebraska–a Dad, daughter and son–fly in for SoxFest. This year, however, they went above and beyond. They got in line at 2:00 a.m. this morning to make sure they were among the first to get Bobby Jenks’ autograph. Here’s Bobby during today’s autograph session, which began at 9:00 a.m.

A Must-See For Sox Fans

The SoxSocial Lounge is a “must” destination while at SoxFest. Even GM Rick Hahn got into spirit by playing a game of Heads Up with a Sox fan.

Something For Everybody at SoxFest

Here’s a mini-tour of the Exhibitor Hall/Gift Shop/Garage Sale:

Count Hawk In

It’s been many years now since Hawk Harrelson anointed Frank Thomas with the nickname, The Big Hurt, after witnessing Frank’s prodigious talents on a daily basis. You could say that Hawk will be coming full circle with his connection with the new Hall of Fame electee this Summer when Harrelson will likely be part of the Sox traveling party to Cooperstown to witness Hurt’s induction first-hand.

“I tried to be there for Cal Ripken, George Brett and Robin Yount, guys I really respected,” Hawk said at SoxFest. ‘But I think I’m going to make it this time.”

SoxFest Notes of Note

During this morning’s seminar featuring Rick and Robin, a fan asked about newly acquired third baseman Matt Davidson. Robin gave an answer that pleased the packed ballroom: “Joe Crede is a good comparison. That’s exciting. (You’re impressed) by (Matt’s) sheer size and how the ball comes off his bat.”

The Cuban Connection seminar featured Sox icon Minnie Minoso and current Sox stars Alexei Ramirez, Dayan Viciedo and Jose Abreu. The fans showed their love for Minnie with a lengthy standing ovation and some heartfelt comments. Alexei made a point of thanking Minoso for paving the way for Cuban players to play in the major leagues…One fan certainly did his homework and wished Jose a Happy Birthday (this Wednesday). Abreu, who said he has high expectations and wants to be thought of as a player who leaves everything on the field to help his team win, was asked if he had a nickname. He said he’s known in Cuba as Pito. What about dealing with cold weather, Jose was asked. He said this is the third time he’s been to Chicago and it’s very different this time–referring to the frigid temperatures. “I’ll have to talk to my teammates to get mentally prepared for the cold,” he added.

Sox VP Buddy Bell, Director of Amateur Scouting Doug Laumann and Director of Player Development Nick Capra had some interesting insights in today’s From the Draft to the Big Leagues seminar…Laumann on the Sox having the third pick in this June’s amateur draft: “There’s a certain degree of pressure and a challenge to get an impact type of player. It allows us to narrow the field to five or six potential candidates. It’s a very important pick for us. We’d like to think we’ll get it right. We’ve already talked to four of six potential candidates already. Our philosophy is to take the most impactful player available”…Bell on Sox prospect Micah Johnson: He’s a real interesting kid–a very good baseball mind and a real catalyst. He has the best range of any second baseman I’ve ever seen, but he can play just about anywhere but shortstop. He’s a very good player”…Capra acknowledged that outfield prospect Trayce Thompson may have taken a step back offensively last season, but still has the potential to be a superstar because he does so many things.

Laurence Holmes sat down with with Matt Lindstrom, Adam Eaton and Erik Johnson in the Movies, Music and More! seminar. Hilarity ensued. Among the tidbits we learned: The two main things Eaton takes on the road are his wife and his iPad, his favorite movies are Tommy Boy and HappyGilmore and the player in history he’d most like to room with is Yogi Berra–“or just spend 10 minutes with him”…Matt Lindstrom loves to play Zombies Xbox 360, Forrest Gump is his favorite movie and his celebrity crush is Kate Beckinsale because she looks like his wife…Movie-wise, Erik Johnson is partial to Indiana Jones and Star Wars and is a huge San Francisco 49ers fan. And according to Lindstrom, Chris Sale is by far the best video game player on the Sox and excels in everything he does. Perhaps the funniest line of the seminar came when Eaton was asked about his celebrity crush. He answered, “Paul Konerko.”

Two of the greatest lefthanded pitchers in Sox history, Billy Pierce and Gary Peters, were the focus of the final seminar of Day 2. Billy talked about getting his first glove and ball as a prize for getting his tonsils out and the day he met Babe Ruth and had him sign a baseball that he still holds dear…Peters recalled having lunch with his father before making a start against the Yankees on a Saturday. He asked his dad, an avid Yankee fan, who he would be rooting for. After hesitating a moment, the elder Peters said he’d root for his son, but the Yankees on Sunday.

Tomorrow’s Schedule: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Autographs and photos will continue on the final day of SoxFest. Here are the scheduled seminars: PrizedProspects (10:00-11:00 a.m.) with Erik Johnson, Marcus Semien, Josh Phegley and Micah Johnson; A SluggersRoundtable(11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) with Adam Dunn, Bo Jackson, Jim Thome and Harold Baines; A View from the Dugout (12:00-1:00 p.m.) with Robin Ventura, Don Cooper and Todd Steverson; From the Draft to the Big Leagues(1:00-2:00 p.m.) with Nick Capra, Buddy Bell, Doug Laumann and Dan Fabian; and Big League Laughs (2:00-3:00 p.m.) with Pat McGann, Adam Eaton, Nate Jones, Gordon Beckham and Tom Paciorek.

Bo Jackson and Aretha Franklin will be honored with the MLB Beacon Awards at a luncheon and will be recognized in a pregame ceremony on the field during the day of the 2013 Civil Rights Game. The annual event will be played at U.S. Cellular Field between the Sox and Rangers on Saturday, August 24 (6:10 p.m., CT) and televised nationally on the MLB Network.

Play(s) of the Day

The Sox battery of Jake Peavy and Tyler Flowers stood out in yesterday’s 7-4 win over the Tigers. Peavy chalked up win No. 8 and Flowers drove in a pair of runs with his ninth homer and a double.

It was an exciting 1-0 victory over the Royals in front of a sellout crowd of 39,012…Chris Sale, who outdueled James Shields for the win, was sensational in 7 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out seven…Tyler Flowers fifth-inning solo homer was the difference…Gordon Beckham made a terrific stab in the seventh to quiet a K.C. rally…Matt Thornton struck out Mike Moustakas with two outs in the eighth with the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on first…Addison Reed came on in the ninth and got the save…Alexei Ramirez and Alex Rios each had a pair of hits.

And this is only the second time ever that the Sox have won 1-0 on Opening Day. The last time it happened was 2005.

I’m just saying…

Robin’s Postgame comments:

RV said Sale did a good job keeping his emotions in check and was efficient with his pitches.He commented on Flowers special day–catching a shutout and hitting a game-winning homer. The skipper added that it’s Flowers’ time.

Bo

Bo Jackson, who on Opening Day 20 years ago hit a home run in his first at bat since his hip surgery, threw out the ceremonial first pitch today. His catcher? Former teammate Ventura, who insisted on catching Bo’s first pitch: “The last time we did this (2005 World Series) it worked out pretty well,” Robin said.

When told that Bo threatened to bounce one in on him, Ventura replied: “He won’t. I know him better than that. But I did bring my good glove.”

Bo was quite proud of his “92-mph cheese” first pitch, saying that Jerry Reinsdorf should sign him to pitch. But when he came off the field he called out to trainer Herm Schneider, “Hermie, I need some ice.” Herm, of course, was instrumental in Bo’s recovery.

Bo also had an interesting exchange with the Chairman. Jerry teasingly said, “Who can forget Opening Day 1993?” Bo, with tongue firmly in cheek, said, “What happened…”

Bo was asked by the media if he had seen the recent ESPN 30-30 show focusing on him.

“I didn’t have to see it. I lived it.”

Bo later admitted ESPN sent him an advanced copy and he did watch it. “The only thing in there that wasn’t true was they said I jumped over a ditch 40 feet wide. It was more like 20-22 feet. Now, in more than 10 years, it might be 50 feet wide.”

Other Scenes from Opening Day

Here’s video of the White Sox pregame intros and photos of batting practice from the view in centerfield and the new addition honoring the club’s retired numbers.

The Sox have reacquired non-roster first baseman Lars Anderson from Toronto. Anderson is headed to Class AAA Charlotte.

Quote(s) of the Day

Robin on his expectations for this year’s White Sox:

“I want to get to the playoffs. (Beyond that) we’ll figure it out when we get there. That’s the first thing that has to happen.”

Rick Hahn on the fact the Sox were in first place 117 days last season and his outlook for 2013:

“This team’s focus right now is being in first place only one day and that’s at the end of the season.”

Play of the Day

With apologies to Chris and Tyler, who certainly deserve kudos as well, let’s go with Beckham’s brilliant rally-killing catch.

Tomorrow’s Schedule

Off day. On Wednesday, White Sox vs. Royals at U.S. Cellular Field (1:10 p.m., CT, WGN). Probable starters are Jake Peavy for the Sox vs. Ervin Santana for the Royals.

Did You Know…

…that Paul Konerko needs one hit to tie Frank Thomas for third in White Sox history with 2,136…14 doubles for 400…54 games to tie Hall of Famer Nellie Fox for second in Sox annals with 2,115…and 33 homers to tie Thomas for first in Sox history with 448?

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.